Machine for cleaning concrete forms

ABSTRACT

A MACHINE FOR CLEANING ELONGATED CONCRETE FORMS OF THE TYPE THAT INCLUDE LATERALLY SPACED HORIZONTAL SURFACES AND DEPENDING TROUGH MEANS AND WHICH MACHINE INCLUDES A FRAME, AND CARRIED BY THE FRAME A PLURALITY OF HORIZONTAL ROTARY BRUSH MEANS FOR FRICTIONALLY ENGAGING THE HORIZONTAL SURFACES OF THE FORM, VERTICALLY DISPOSED ROTARY BRUSH MEANS FOR ENGAGING THE WALLS OF THE TROUGH MEANS, VERTICALLY ADJUSTABLE CASTOR WHEELS, A DRIVE MEANS AND POWER TRANSMISSION MEANS OPERABLY COUPLING THE DRIVE MEANS WITH THE HORIZONTAL AND VERTICAL ROTARY BRUSH MEANS FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY ROTATING ALL THE BRUSH MEANS TO PROPEL THE MACHINE ALONG THE FORM TO REMOVE DIRT AND CONCRETE PARTICLES THEREFROM.

Feb. 16, 1971 R. RIcKARD MACHINE FOR CLEANING CONCRETE FORMS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 7, 1969 INVENTOR.

ROGER RICKARD Feb. 16,- 1971 RlCKARD MACHINE FOR CLEANING CONCRETE FORMS s sheets-sheet 2 Filed May 7, 1969 INVENTOR. ROGER RICKARD ATTORNEYS Feb. 16, 1971 R. RICKARD MACHINE FOR CLEANING CONCRETE FORMS 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 7, 196-9 INVENTOR.

ROGER RICKARD 3mm 3Q...

' ATTORNE 3 United States Patent 3,562,832 MACHINE FOR CLEANING CONCRETE FORMS Roger Rickard, Rte. 1, Middletown, Va. 22645 Filed May 7, 1969, Ser. No. 822,479 Int. Cl. A46b 13/02 US. Cl. 1556 10 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A machine for cleaning elongated concrete forms of the type that include laterally spaced horizontal surfaces and depending trough means and which machine includes a frame, and carried by the frame 'a plurality of horizontal rotary brush means for frictionally engaging the horizontal surfaces of the form, vertically disposed rotary brush means for engaging the walls of the trough means, vertically adjustable castor wheels, a drive means and power transmission means operably coupling the drive means With the horizontal and vertical rotary brush means for simultaneously rotating all the brush means to propel the machine along the form to remove dirt and concrete particles therefrom.

The present invention relates broadly to the art of cleaning machines or apparatus. More particularly this invention relates to a machine for cleaning or removing dirt and/or concrete dust or residue from concrete forms.

Still more particularly the invention relates to a machine for cleaning shaped concrete forms of the type and shape used to mold a T-shaped, a double-T-shaped or doublechannel-shaped structure.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a cleaning machine that is economical to produce and includes rotary cleaning elements positioned and arranged to clean the laterally spaced upper surfaces of such a concrete form simultaneously with cleaning laterally spaced depending trough shaped wall-forming portions of such a form.

It is a further object to provide such a cleaning machine which is self-propelled and includes a plurality of horizontal rotary brush elements arranged in spaced, co-axial relation and at least one additional brush element rotatable about a vertical axis perpendicular to and below the axis of rotation of the first mentioned brush elements and power means to simultaneously rotate all such brush elements.

An additional object is to provide a cleaning machine which includes a frame, supporting wheels carried by such frame for vertical adjustment with respect thereto, horizontal shaft means rotatably carried by the frame, brush means mounted on such shaft means, at least one vertical shaft means rotatably carried by the frame, a brush means on such vertical shaft means, a vertically adjustable power unit mounting means on the frame, at least one power unit on said mounting means, and power transmission means operably coupling the power unit to the horizontal and vertical shaft means for rotating the same and the brush means carried thereby.

A still more specific object is to provide a concrete cleaning machine which includes a frame, a horizontal shaft means carried by the frame, a plurality of axially spaced rotary abrasive type brush elements secured to such shaft means, combination sheave and gear means carried by the horizontal shaft means between at least two of said brush means, a motor mount vertically adjustably mounted on the frame, a motor means secured thereto, a belt drive coupling the motor and combination sheave and gear means, at least one vertical shaft support carried by the frame, a further rotary abrasive brush and associated vetical shaft mounted on such vertical shaft 3,562,832 Patented Feb. 16, 1971 ice support, gear means on such associated shaft in engagement with the gear portion of the combination sheave and gear means and castor wheels vertically mounted on the frame whereby in a cleaning operation, the machine propels itself across the top of a T-shaped concrete form due to frictional engagement of the rotary brush means with the subjacent surfaces of the form.

Further and more specific objects will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary view in front elevation illustrating one-half of one embodiment of a cleaning machine for cleaning a double-T concrete form;

FIG. 2 is a similar view illustrating the other half of such machine;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the machine as seen from the right of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a view on a reduced scale partly in front elevation and partly in vertical section illustrating a modified embodiment of a cleaning machine in accordance with the invention.

The machine illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 is for cleaning an elongated concrete form of the double-T type of the 8 foot Width size and having three laterally spaced horizontal surfaces and two depending troughs. The machine includes a rectangular frame F including opposite short sides 1 and opposite long sides 6. This frame is constructed of angle-irons with the flanges directed inwardly. If desired, bar iron could be used. Two cross struts 7 are welded between the long sides of the frame for supporting shaft accommodating bearings 8. Further bearings 8 are mounted on the flanges of the angle-irons that define the short sides 1 of the frame. All these hearings are aligned and a brush carrying shaft 2 is journalled in the aligned bearings. Three brush means 3, 4 and 5 are mounted on this shaft 2 in axially spaced relation for cleaning cooperation with three underlying form surfaces, see FIG. 4 for the form cleaning relationship.

The middle brush element 4 is longer than the two outermost elements 3 and 5. Secured to the long sides 6 of the frame are castor wheel mounts 9. The wheel elements being connected to plates 10 that are provided with vertical rows of bolt receiving apertures 11 so that each plate and associated castor wheel can be connected to the sides of the frame in selected vertically adjusted positions by bolt and nut means 12. In the space at the opposite ends of the central brush element 4, the horizontal shaft 2 carries a combination sheave gear structure 13. Four pairs of vertically disposed rods 14 are Welded to the long sides of the frame and each rod includes an upper threaded portion extending above the upper surface of the central brush element. A motor mount 15 consisting of a pair of cross bars 16 and a rectangular frame 17 of angle iron or bar stock is mounted on each of two pairs of rods. To accomplish this the cross bars at each end of each motor mount frame are apertured, a heavy nut 18 is threaded onto the threaded portion of each rod, the cross bars fit over an associated pair of rods and another nut 19 is threaded on the respective rods. With this arrangement, the motor mounts 15 are vertically adjustable with respect to the main frame. An electric motor 20 is secured to each motor mount 15 and the shaft thereof carries a double pulley or sheave arrangement 21. Endless belts 22 are engaged over the sheave gear structures 13 on the horizontal shaft and the sheave or pulley means 21 on the motor shafts.

Depending beneath the horizontal frame from positions in both spaces between the opposite ends of the central brush units and the adjacent ends of the outermost brush units are auxiliary frames 23 each of which is of flat bar stock and includes spaced leg members 24 that are inclined downwardly toward one another and a. bottom 25. The two leg members 24 are removably connected to the frame by nut and bolt connections 27. Additional cross members 26 are welded between the long sides of the main frame and each is provided with a shaft accommodating aperture. The bottom 25 of each auxiliary frame carries a thrust bearing 28 for a vertical shaft 29 that mounts a tapered abrasive brush element 31. The upper end of each vertical shaft 29 carries a bevel gear 30 that is in mesh with the gear part of the respective combination sheave gear structure 13 on the horizontal shaft 2 at the opposite ends of the central brush element. A handle structure 3 of U-shaped tubular form is connected to the frame. Tubular sockets 33 are welded to the sides of the frame F and the lower offset ends 34 of the legs of the tubular handle fit into these sockets. An auxiliary strap member 35 extends from each leg of the handle and has an apertured end that fits over one of the motor mount carrying rods 14 to brace the handle and hold it in position. It is clear however that the entire handle can be removed from the frame. Mounted between the legs of the handle is a cross brace 36. A lifting bracket structure is provided over the motor and includes an inverted U-shaped support bar 37 bolted to the top of each of the motor mount frames 15 and a transverse connecting member or brace 38 extending between these bars. Suitable eyes 39 are bolt connected to the tops of the inverted U-shaped bars. With this arrangement, hooks from a lifting crane can lift and transport the cleaning machine from place to place and assist in the positioning of the same on a concrete form to be cleaned.

The handle structure also carries a switch unit 40 for controlling the two drive motors 20. Magnetic controllers 41 are coupled between the switch unit and the motors to control the starting and stopping of the motors. These are so arranged that both motors start at precisely the same instant.

The embodiment of FIG. 4 is essentially the same as that of FIGS. 1 to 3. However, the FIG. 4- arrangement is for use for smaller, i.e. narrower forms such as denoted at F in this figure. The general arrangement of the rectangular frame is similar in that this frame is of angle iron structure with cross struts 7 extending between the long sides in the space between the inner end of each outer brush 3' and and the adjacent end of the central brush 4. These cross struts 7' carry bearings 8' for the horizontal shaft 2' that supports all of the brushes. Further bearings 8' are mounted on the two end members of the short sides 1' of the frame. Additional cross braces or struts 26 are secured to the frame and constitute guides and carry bearings for the vertical shafts 29' that carry the depending brushes 31. A bevel gear 30' is mounted on the upper end of each vertical shaft 29'. Castor wheel mounts 9' are also mounted on each of the longer sides 6' of the frame for riding on the outermost flat portions FL of the form. In this embodiment a single motor mount is adjustably mounted on two pairs of upstanding rods 14' and the shaft of the motor mounted on this motor mount projects beyond each end of the motor and carries the sheaves or pulleys 21'. Adjacent the opposite ends of the central brush element 4 the horizontal shaft carries combination sheave bevel gear structures 13 each including a bevel gear in mesh with the respective bevel gears 30' on the upper ends of the vertical shafts 29. A tubular handle structure 32' and associated brace means similar to the FIG. 1 arrangement is removably mounted on the frame and the rearmost pair of vertical rods, respectively.

This embodiment of the invention can be crane lifted by attaching a single hook to the eye on top of the motor or by attaching hooks beneath the opposite extending portions of the motor shaft in the spaces between the motor housing and the adjacent pulley structure.

The rotary brush elements can be constructed of heavy bristles, steel wires, abrasive material or in fact of any material of sufiicient strength and resistance that will 4 loosen dirt, dust and concrete residue from the surfaces of the form. The vertical adjustability of the castor wheel mounts permits lowering of the frame to compensate for Wear of the brush element.

While electric motors have been disclosed as the power units, it is to be understood that these can be replaced by internal combustion engine power units.

-In the operation and use of both forms of the invention, the cleaning machine is lifted by a crane and transported to one end of the form to be cleaned. It is to be pointed out that these forms are quite long, that is of the order of 24 feet to 36 feet in length. The cleaning machine is placed in position at one end of the form with the horizontally disposed brushes resting on the central and two outer horizontal form surface portions FL and the depending tapered brushes disposed in the troughs or tapered channels T of the form. The power units are started to rotate the brushes. The friction between the brushes and the surfaces of the form provides the tractive force to propel the cleaning machine. The operator holds the handle and allows the cleaning machine to feed forward along the form. He can hold the machine stationary when particularly dirty areas ar encountered and by observation can determine the proper rate of speed and how long to hold the machine stationary at any particular location along the forms. Proceeding in this fashion, the machine effectively cleans dirt and residue from the complete length of the concrete form. A suction type pick-up means (not shown) is associated with the cleaning machine and includes nozzles that fit down inside the channels of the form and suck away the dislodged dirt and/or concrete residue or dust. If desired, the power unit means on the concrete form cleanmachine can be used to drive the suction producing impeller for the suction type vacuuming machine.

What is claimed is:

1. A machine for cleaning elongated concrete forms of the type including at least two laterally spaced horizontal surfaces and at least one depending trough between the horizontal surfaces, comprising a frame, rotatable horizontal shaft means carried by such frame, at least two cleaning brush means carried by said shaft means at axially spaced locations thereon, a rotatable vertical shaft means carried by the frame and depending therebeneath at a location in the space between said at least two brush means, additional brush means carried by said vertical shaft means, drive means carried by said frame, power transmission means coupling said drive means with said horizontal shaft means and said vertical shaft means and a plurality of roller means carried by said frame at locations thereon to overlie and engage said horizontal surfaces and support said frame for movement along such a concrete form with said at least two horizontal brush means rotatably frictionally engaging said horizontal surfaces and said additional brush means rotatably frictionally engaging the trough surfaces to clean such surfaces and propel the machine along such form.

2. A cleaning machine as claimed in claim 1 and further including support means for said drive means and means vertically adjustably connecting said support means with said frame.

3. A cleaning machine as claimed in claim 1 and means vertically adjustably connecting said roller means with said frame.

4. A cleaning machine as claimed in claim 1 in which said power transmission means comprises a combined sheave and bevel gear structure carried by said horizontal shaft means, a bevel gear on said vertical shaft means in meshing engagement with the bevel gear of said combined sheave and bevel gear structure, sheave means driven by said drive means and an endless belt means trained over said last meantioned sheave means and the sheave of said combined sheave and bevel gear structure.

5. A cleaning machine as claimed in claim 1 and handle means detachably connected to said frame for operator control of the propelling and cleaning movement of said machine relative to a form to be cleaned.

6. A cleaning machine as claimed in claim 1 and further including means detachably connecting said vertical shaft means and its associated brush means to said frame.

7. A cleaning machine as claimed in claim 1 and said additional brush means being shaped to conform to and clean surfaces of a shaped trough on such a form.

8. A cleaning machine as claimed in claim 1 for cleaning elongated concrete forms of the double-T type including three laterally spaced horizontal surfaces and two depending troughs one on each side of the middle horizontal surface and in which three cleaning brush means are carried by said horizontal shaft means at axially spaced locations thereon so as to be engageab e with the three horizontal surfaces of such a form, said vertical shaft means comprising two vertical shaft means carried by said frame means and depending therebeneath in the spaces between the opposite ends of the middle horizontal brush means and the respectively adjacent inner ends of the two outermost horizontal brush means, and said additional brush means comprising a trough cleaning brush means on each vertical shaft.

9. A cleaning machine as claimed in claim 8 and further including support means for said drive means, means vertically adjustably connecting said support means with said frame, and said roller means comprising a plurality of roller means vertically adjustably carried by said frame at locations thereon to overlie and engage the three horizontal surfaces of such a form.

10. A cleaning machine as claimed in claim 8 in which said power transmission means comprises a combined sheave and bevel gear structure carried by said horizontal shaft means closely adjacent to opposite ends of said middle brush means, a bevel gear on each depending vertical shaft means in meshing engagement with the resp ctive bevel gears of each combined sheave and bevel gear structure, two sheave means driven by said drive means and each located to cooperate with the respective combined sheave and bevel gear structures and endless belt means trained over each of said two last-mentioned sheave means and the respective sheaves of said combined sheave and bevel gear structures.

References Cited FOREIGN PATENTS 195,064 6/1967 U.S.S.R. 15-21(C0) EDWARD J. ROBERTS, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

